Health inspectors cited a range of sanitation, food safety, and pest control problems at several Charlotte-area restaurants during February inspections.

The lowest score of the month went to SOMA Bistro Curry N Cake in University City, where inspectors documented a severe roach infestation and issued an immediate suspension of the restaurant’s permit.

Several other establishments scored in the mid-80s. While those grades still fall into the “B” category, inspectors documented numerous repeat violations involving food temperature control, employee hygiene, and sanitation.

Below are the 10 lowest Mecklenburg County restaurant health scores in Charlotte during February 2026, ranked from #10 to #1, with increasing numbers of observations as the scores worsen.

10. CO

4201 Park Rd — 86.5/B — Inspected Feb. 5

Inspectors cited repeat violations involving sanitation and temperature control.

Notable observations from inspectors:

• “Observed raw shrimp being stored above RTE foods inside lowboy cooler.”

• “Observed multiple plastic containers, squeeze bottles, and utensils soiled with food debris while being stored as clean.”

• “Observed cooked chipotle peppers with a prep date of 12/5.”

9. Honest Indian Vegetarian Restaurant

8109 University City Blvd Unit C — 85.5/B — Inspected Feb. 17

Inspectors cited repeat violations involving food storage, labeling, and sanitation.

Notable observations from inspectors:

• “Observed a dirty dicer stored as clean on the storage rack adjacent the WIC.”

• “Observed multiple stacks of metal insert containers… stored as clean to have food debris/sticker residue on them.”

• “Observed a bowl and 2 packages of cheddar cheese stored outside of refrigeration… at temperatures of 75-79F.”

• “Observed containers of cooked cauliflower balls, cooked vegetable balls, and cooked noodles to have incorrect date marks.”

8. Los Sabrosos Cocina Mexicana

500 W Summit Ave Ste 124 — 85.5/B — Inspected Feb. 12

Inspectors documented several repeat violations involving handwashing and temperature control.

Notable observations from inspectors:

• “Observed the PIC wash their hands for less than 10 seconds with only water.”

• “Observed PIC utilize hand sink to wet wiping cloth and wring out the water into the hand sink.”

• “Observed pre portioned rice and salsas in prep top temping above 41°F.”

• “Observed container of raw shrimp stored above container of cooked chicken.”

• “Observed queso not meet proper reheating temperatures.”

7. The Imperial Treasure Ballantyne

14815 Ballantyne Village Way Ste 250 — 85.5/B — Inspected Feb. 25

Inspectors cited sanitation and food storage violations.

Notable observations from inspectors:

• “Observed no CFPM during inspection.”

• “Observed numerous raw proteins in WIC being stored over RTE foods.”

• “Observed various different proteins… placed all in the same container.”

• “Observed pans stacked by dish machine stored as clean with residue present.”

• “Observed no date marking system in place during inspection.”

• “Observed numerous sauces and seasonings on wok line without proper labels.”

6. Nalan Indian Cuisine

1600 E Woodlawn Rd Ste 150 — 85.5/B — Inspected Feb. 24

Inspectors cited repeat violations involving food storage and cooling procedures.

Notable observations from inspectors:

• “Observed food employee handle raw chicken… and don new gloves without hands washing.”

• “Observed kadhai sauce cooling in two door reach in cooler.”

• “Observed multiple items throughout the facility without date marks present.”

• “Facility had items held beyond 7 days.”

• “Observed several food items stored on the floor inside of the walk in cooler.”

• “Observed several food items stored on the floor inside of the walk in freezer.”

• “Observed employee medication stored above food used for the facility.”

5. Luisa’s Brick Oven Pizzeria

1730 Abbey Pl — 85/B — Inspected Feb. 12

Inspectors documented multiple repeat violations involving sanitation and food temperature control.

Notable observations from inspectors:

• “Observed food employee wipe hands on apron and attempt to continue working.”

• “Observed a very large amount of dishes in clean dish storage with sticker residue present.”

• “Observed three 5 gallon buckets of pizza sauce… placed in the walk in cooler to cool overnight at 44F.”

• “Observed facility holding garlic butter on counter at 70F.”

• “Observed two pans with cut tomatoes without a date mark.”

• “Observed sliced ham with a date mark of 1/19.”

• “Observed employees prepping and handling food without the use of a hair restraint.”

• “Observed rust accumulating on bottom prep surface of prep table.”

4. Queen’s Soul Food

7308 E Independence Blvd Ste D — 85/B — Inspected Feb. 19

Inspectors cited multiple food safety and pest-related violations.

Notable observations from inspectors:

• “Observed facilities lack of control of food safety measures.”

• “Observed heavy soiling on pots and pans in the clean dish rack.”

• “Observed food residue and debris present on knives stored adjacent to the 3-comp sink.”

• “Observed several cockroaches on the floors throughout the facility.”

• “Observed 2 small cockroaches present within a bin of sugar.”

• “Observed crack in the back door… entry point for pests.”

• “Observed several foods below 135F present on the hot holding line.”

• “Observed heavily soiled shelving and handles on cold holding equipment.”

3. BAKU

4515 Sharon Rd — 85/B — Inspected Feb. 10

Inspectors cited several repeat violations involving food handling and storage.

Notable observations from inspectors:

• “Observed food employee enter kitchen… put on gloves and proceed to handle food items without washing hands.”

• “Observed food employee cutting sushi fish with bare hands.”

• “Observed raw beef being stored over tofu and sauces inside walk in cooler.”

• “Observed crispy rice holding above 41F in prep unit.”

• “Observed sushi rice sitting out on counter above 41F.”

• “Observed prawn sauce, fried onions and sushi rice without time labels.”

• “Observed toro cooling at a rate of 0F/min.”

• “Observed rusted shelving in prep unit.”

• “Observed cracked floor tiles in main kitchen area.”

2. Nikko Japanese Restaurant

325 Arlington Ave — 80/B — Inspected Feb. 18

Inspectors conducted a complaint investigation and documented serious sanitation and staffing issues.

Notable observations from inspectors:

• “Observed no manager on site at the time of the inspection.”

• “Employees… stated they have not had a manager working for some time now.”

• “Observed the chemical dishwasher to be off at the time of the inspection.”

• “Facility does not have bottles of bleach on site and has no current way of washing any dishes.”

• “Observed all trays of cleaned drinking glassware to be cloudy and have lip smudge marks.”

• “Observed multiple dishes stored as clean to have food debris on them.”

• “Observed a rice cooker with rice at temperatures of 94-107F.”

• “Observed gap at the base of where the 2 back doors meet allowing for entry of vermin.”

• “Observed a live roach on the wall at the mop sink.”

• “Observed dead roaches of all life stages, too numerous to count.”

1. SOMA Bistro Curry N Cake

2015 East Arbors Dr — 71/C — Inspected Feb. 11

This restaurant received the lowest score of the month and inspectors issued an immediate suspension due to a severe roach infestation.

Notable observations from inspectors:

• “Roaches found on food contact surfaces and prep surfaces.”

• “EHS observed severe roach infestation during visit.”

• “Observed roach crawling on clean dishes.”

• “Observed roach crawling on cleaned pans.”

• “Observed roach crawling under microwave.”

• “Observed roaches in light fixtures and on walls.”

• “Observed dead roaches under microwave and throughout facility.”

• “Observed roach at 3 comp sink on drainboard with clean dishes.”

• “Observed raw containers of chicken stored above ready to eat items.”

• “Observed potatoes and veg mix holding above 41F.”

• “Observed cut tomato, heavy cream and coconut milk held out on prep table.”

• “Observed several food items made days prior without date mark.”

• “Observed household pesticides in kitchen.”

• “Observed food stored on the floor.”

• “Observed clean dishes stored in mop sink area.”

Health inspection scores reflect conditions observed at the time of inspection. Restaurants can request reinspections once violations are corrected.

Across February’s lowest scores, inspectors most frequently cited problems with pest control, improper temperature holding, sanitation of food-contact surfaces, and repeat food safety violations.